MR Findings of Multiple Sclerosis in Spinal Cord

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the MR imaging features of multiple sclerosis (MS) in spinal cord. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine MR (magnetic resonance) images of six patients with suspected MS were retrospectively evaluated in active phase (n=6) and inactive phase (n=3) before and after Gadolinium-DTPA administration. RESULTS: In all patients with clinically active phase, plaques of spinal cord appeared as high signal intensity on T2-weighted image with isointense cord swelling on Tl-weighted images. All lesions were enhanced on Gd-DTPA enhanced Tl-weighted images. The patterns of enhancement were nodular, circumferential rim-like, and segmental. On follow-up images in 3 patients who became clinically stable, all enhancing lesions disappeared. CONCLUSION: MR is a good modality in detection of spinal MS, and Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR is valuable in differentiating active MS from stable MS.